Pesky neighbours who make a nuisance of themselves can of course be
taken to task in terms of the law, which in South Africa gives owners
considerable rights when it comes to the undisturbed use of their own
properties.

"But legal action against a neighbour may not only be costly and
time consuming, it is also very likely to further sour relations and
make living next door to one another unbearably unpleasant," says
Berry Everitt, MD of the Chas Everitt International property group.

"So the best plan of action is to try and resolve any differences
amicably - or to avoid them in the first place."

Writing in the Property Signposts newsletter he says it is thus wise
to remember when buying property that you are not only choosing a home,
you are also choosing eighbours.

"And because people keen to sell their property are unlikely to
spill the beans if they have 'problem' neighbours, you should visit
the property and the area on different days and at different times to
ensure that the neighbours are not given to regular late-night partying
that would disturb you, or running a home business that that entails
lots of traffic, noise and security risks."

Everitt also says that once you move into a new home, it is a good
idea to establish cordial relationships with your new neighbours from
the word go.

"Open lines of communication will make it much easier to broach
any matter that may cause friction.

"The other side of this coin, of course, is that you should also
be good neighbour and not interfere with other owners' rights to enjoy
their properties."

In this regard, it is worth noting that plans to build or replace boundary
fences or walls should first be discussed with neighbours, although
they are not obliged to contribute to the costs.

"Also you should take special care to establish exactly where
the boundary between the two properties is - encroaching only a few
centimetres on to your neighbour's property could entitle him to apply
to have the whole structure demolished."